Line tightener



Aug. 19, 1952 K, C, BUGG 2,607,560

LINE TIGHTENER Filed March 22, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTR.

Aug- 19, 1952 K. c. BUG@ 2,607,560

LINE TIGHTENER Filed March 22, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Aug. 19, 1952 K. c. BUGG 2,607,560

LINE TIGHTENER Filed March 22, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

Blf/672@ C @99 Patented Aug. 19, 1952 UNITED STATES PTENT YOFFICE 2,607,560 LINE TIGHTENER Kenly C. Bugg, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Application March 22, 1947, Serial No. 737,368

3 Claims. (Cl. 2511-161) This invention pertains to a reel or tightening device or jack for selectively tensioning a exible member such as a rope, line, wire, chain or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a tightening device which is adapted to remove the slack in a line or the like, which line may be weighted, as for example the tightening of a clothes line either before wash is supported thereon or while it is supported thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tightening device which is so constructed and arranged that it may readily be adapted for multiple uses in tightening a line or the like, even though the line has already been suspended, in which case it may be tightened without uniastening the line or even one end thereof. Or the slack may be removed where the line is fastened at one end and supported at the other in which case the device only engages the line, or the line may be tightened where the device is connected to a support and engages the line.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tightening device for a line or the like, wherein it is possible to take up the line in both directions so as to tightenit quickly and making it possible to store a relatively large amount of line.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tighteningdevice for a line or the like which is small, compact, inexpensive and rugged which makes it possible to be used in packing, hauling, or binding, in fact one which may be used anywhere that a line or the like is to be tightened and wherein the device may be easily and quickly released.`

Another object of the invention is to provide a reel having mechanism for rotating it in one direction, which mechanism is movable to another position to permit reverse rotation of said reel. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide a reel which may be used to snub or lock a line and one which may be used to take up a relatively long length of line.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tightening device for aline or the like, having a reel which is associated with a member movable in one direction to rotate the reel to storing position, the member beingk operated to a predetermined position to permit release of the reel from storing position, the rotation of the reel from storing position being incapable of moving said member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tightening device wherein the tightening member can be disconnected from the operating member merely by rotative movement of said operative member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tightening device wherein the tightening member can be disconnected from the operating member by rotation and bodily movements of said operating member.

Another object of the invention is to pro-vide a tightening device for taking up slack in a line, such as a clothes line, painter, tarpaulin holding line, etc., wherein the device may be applied at an end of a line or at an intermediate point in a fastened line, and wherein there is provided means between the actuating device and reel giving the operator a mechanical advantage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tightening device for a line wherein the breakaway device is so arrangedthat the gears therein always seek a true pitch center.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel featuresv of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the speciiication, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a view showing one form of the tightening device embodying the invention, in one position for tightening a line;

Figure 2 is a View showing one form of the tightening device embodying the invention, in another position for tightening a line;

Figure 3 is a View showing one form of the tightening device embodying the invention in still another position for tightening a line Figure 4 is a plan view of one form of tightening device embodying the invention, the same looking toward the actuating side thereof;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the form of tightening device illustratedin Figure 4; A

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of the tightening device illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional plan view, taken substantially in the plane yas indicated by the line 1 1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional plan view taken substantially in the plane asindicated by the line 8 8 of Figure 6, showing the parts in vposition for rotating the reel of the tightening device by the operating means;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of a tightening device illustrated in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a plan view, partly in section, taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line |3|3 of Figure l2, and showing the mechanism in position for rotation of the reel for tightening operation; and

Figure 14 is a sectional plan View corresponding to Figure 13 showingthe parts in position wherein the reel can run free to move from tightened position to inoperative position.

This application is a continuation-impart of application Serial No. 577,544, filed February 12, 1945 now abandoned.

Referring iirst of all to the form of tightening device or jack illustrated in Figures 4 to 1D inclusive, the tightener comprises a body housing 28 anged as at 22 for the reception of a cover plate 24 fitted therein, said cover plate being iianged as at 26 and relanged at 28, being secured to the housingV 28 `as by the bolt 39. 'I'he bolt 39 also serves to fasten to the housing 29 the guide plate 32 which extends around the projecting end 28 of the cover plate, and around the projecting end 34 of the housing 20, the plate 32 being formed with spaced guide lugs or ears 38. Other forms of guides may be used such as a closed loop, in which case the line would have to be threaded, or spaced rollers may be provided, The ends 28 and 34 are apertured as at 38, forming a convenient means for suspending the tightener.

Adjacent the enlarged preferably arcuate end 49 of the housing and cover plate a reel 42 is rotatably mounted. Said reel comprises a circular plate member 44 pivotally secured as by bolt 48 to one end of the socket member 48, said plate having a bearing 49 received in a corresponding opening 56 in the housing 29. Said socket member, in the embodiment shown, is secured as at tothe post 52 of the operating handle 54, though. it is to be understood, of course, thatcthe socket member may be so shaped that a removable operating key or member may be used, in which case the socket member may be iiush with the plate 24. As shown, the socket member is provided with a bearing 55 .received in a corresponding opening 51 in the plate 24.

The plate member 44 is provided with the projecting lugs 55 disposed adjacent the pivot 45 and substantially diametrically spaced from each other, said lugs being provided at their outer ends with the generally arcuate retainer plates 58 spaced from each other and extending radially. In order to facilitate the entrance of a line or other member to be tightened, the retainer plates 58 may be cut away as shown at 60 (Figure 1), the cut-away portions 60 opposite each other being flared away from each other.

The socket member 48 is Xedly provided with the notched, generally circular plate 62, said plate having the pawl 54 pivoted thereto as at S6, a spring 68 being carried by the plate engagpinion-ratchet ing one end of said pawl, urging it in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3 about the pivot 66. The pawl 64 is provided with the pin 'I9 which limits the inward movement of the pawl by engagement in the notch I2 of the plate 62. The pawl is provided with a lug or projection 14 adapted to engage the lug or projection 'f6 provided on the ratchet pawl I9.

The ratchet pawl T8 is pivoted as at 89 to the housing 29 and a spring 82 is provided, urging the pawl in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure '7, about its pivot 80. The pawl 'i6 is provided with the ratchet engaging projection 84 for engaging the teeth of the ratchet 86, said ratchet being xed as at 88 and 99 to the reel 42. The bolt 88 may be provided with the projecting head 92 which is adapted to be engaged by the end or projection 94 of the pawl 64.

In operation of this form of the device rotation of the shaft 52 (Figures 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9) in a clockwise direction rotates the socket member in a clockwise direction, whichvv in turn similarly rotates the notched plate 62 causing the projection 94 of the pawl 64 to engage the head 92 of the bolt 88 in turn rotating the reel, causing the ratchet 86 to be moved t0 various positions with respect to the ratchet pawl 18, and said pawl will lock the reel against rotation in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures 7 to 9.

When it is desired to release the reel, the shaft 52 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Figures 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9) Vuntil the lug 14 engages the lug 'H6 of pawl 'I8 as illustrated in Figure 9, whereupon a slight counterclockwise movement of the socket member 48 causes the end 94 of the pawl to be released from its engagement with the head 92 of the bolt 88. Continued slight movement of the socket member y@8in a counterclockwise directioncauses the pawl 64 to move the pawl 18 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot to release the projection 84 from the ratchet 86, permitting free rotation oi the reel. Release of the handle from its pawl releasing position permits the springs 82 and 68 t0 move the pawls to their operative positions where the projection 84 is in ratchet engaging position and the end 94 is in the path of the head 92, in which case rotation of the socket 48 in a clockwise direction permits the pawl end 94 to pick up the head 92 to rotate the reel.

In the modi'cation illustrated in Figures 11 -to 14, inclusive, the housing |09 is provided comprising spaced plates |02 and |04 secured together as by the rivets |06 and |08. Plate |82 is provided with the extension H9 having the eye ||2 providing securing means for the device, and the extension H8 is provided with the guide plate ||4 (similar to plate 32) secured thereto as at I I6, said plate being formed with the spaced guide lugs or ears I I8.

Adjacent the enlarged end |29 reel |22 is pivotally mounted, said reel being similar to reel 42. The reel comprises the circular plate member |24 having projecting lugs |26 disposed in each side of the pivot |28, preferably being diametrically opposite each other, the lugs being provided at their outer end with the generally arcuate retainer plates |30 spaced from each other and extending radially of the plate |22. Plates |59, of course, may be shaped in a similar manner to plates 58. y

Pivot |28 is non-rotatably provided with the |32, said pinion-ratchet being adapted to be engaged by the pinion-ratchet |34 non-rotatably mounted on the operating shaft |35; Ratchet |32,',and pinion-ratchetv 34; are Iso proportioned as to" give the desired .mechanical advantage to the onerotating shaft |36'. Shaft |36 extends through vslot |38 provided in plate 04 andsaid shaft isprovided with the operating handle |40. By using the slot mounting a desirable break-away deviceY is provided ,as will be later described, and also this mounting causes the pinion |32 and pinion-ratchet |34 tov al- Ways seek a true pitch center, so that expensive gearing and the mounting thereof becomesv unnecessary. Shaft |36is also provided with the bearing extension'` |42 adapted to be received in and travel in a slot |44 similar to slot |38 and provided in plate |62.l Slots |38 and |44 are so disposed that when the pinion-ratchets |32 and |34 are in mesh, shaft |36 and its bearing |42 is at the end |46 of the respective slots most closely adjacent the shaft |28. When the device is conditioned so that the reel is free to turn independently of the handle |40, that is, when pinion-ratchets are disengaged, then the shaft |36 and its bearing |42 are at the end |46 ofthe respective slots farthest from pivot |28.

Pawl |50 is pivoted to pivot |06 and provided with the pinion tooth V|52 adapted to engage the pinion-ratchet |34. Tooth |52 is urged toward engagement with the pinion-ratchet |34 by means of a spring |54. Ratchet |56 is pivoted at |08 and has a tooth |58 adapted to engage the pinion-ratchet |32, said tooth |58 being urged toward ratchet engaging position by means of the spring |60.

When it is desired to tighten a line such as where the device is placed in any of the positions illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, shaft |36 is adapted to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures 11 and 13. In tightening condition, therefore, tooth 58 of pawl |56 is adapted to engage ypinion-ratchet |32 and in tightening operation, of course, the reel |22 will be rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 11. The pawl |56 being operative, the reel is prevented from unwinding.

When it is desired to release the reel so that the line may be unwound or loosened, the shaft |36 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 1l and 13. This rotation of shaft |36 Will cause the pinion-ratchet |34 to ride on tooth |52 of pawl |50, causing the shaft |36 to be moved bodily along the slots to the remote end |46 of said slots. This will disconnect the pinion-ratchets and will cause the pinion-ratchet |34 to move the tooth |58 of pawl |56 out of engagement with the teeth of pinion-ratchet |32, thus permitting the reel to freely rotate to inoperative position. Release of the handle |40 will permit the spring |60 to urge the pawl |56 against the pinion-ratchet |34, urging the pinion-ratchets into meshingengagement and permitting the tooth |58 of pawl |56 to operatively engage the pinion-ratchet |32 to prevent further free rotation of the reel. If spring |60 is not strong enough to engage pinion-ratchets |32 and |54 the rst rotative movement of the handle |40 in a tightening direction (counterclockwise in Figures 11 and 13) will cause the pinion-ratchet |34 to move toward pinion-ratchet |32 by pivoting on tooth |52 to a position Whereshaft |36 is at the close end |46 of slot |44 in which position the pawls are operative and the pinion-ratchets are in mesh.

The tighteners, above described, may be used in various positions with respect to a line, such asV illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. While the' tightenerY shown in Figures 1`t` 3'fis specically lthat shown in Figures 4to 10 inclusive, and so num-- I62Jarund the support |64 and the ,doubled line` may be passed :between the member'sz36 and disposed bejtween the lugs 56. `"Rotation jef-the handle .then in a counterclockwise direction,v as viewed in this gure', causesboth the,doub1ed endand thesingle end of the line to be tightened'around the lugs 56.

InFigure 3 still a different method oflti'nghtening iscontemplated. It is assumed,in` this yfigure that the line |'|0 isfastened adjacentits left end, The tightener is secured tothe fastening means |'|2 as through the hole 38 and the loose end of the line is passed between the members 58. The handle 54 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction causing the reel to tighten the free end of the line |10 about the lugs 56. The release of the line is caused by operation of the tighteners in the manner already described.

It is to :be understood that this application is not to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown, which are merely by Way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a jack for tightening lines or the like, the combination of a housing having a reel rotatably mounted therein, vspaced members provided by the reel for engaging a line, whereby rotation of the reel in a certain direction Will cause the line to be Wound on said spaced members, a gear wheel provided on said reel, a ratchet pawl pivoted to said housing and adapted to engage the gear Wheel for locking the reel in selected positions, a pinion-gear movable into and out of engagement with said gear Wheel, rotatable means rotatable in one direction for moving the piniongear into engagement with the gear wheel and for rotating said pinion-gear to thereby rotate said reel, a second pawl pivoted to the housing and adapted to engage the pinion-gear, said second pawl effecting bodily movement of the pinion-gear from contact. With the gear Wheel when said rotatable means'is rotated in another direction, and said bodily movement of the pinion-gear simultaneously disconnecting the ratchet-pawl from the ratchet wheel to permit free rotation of the reel.

2. In a jack for tightening lines or the like, the combination of a housing having a reel rotatably mounted therein, spaced members provided 4by vthe reel for engaging a line, whereby rotation of the reel in a certain direction will cause the line to be wound on said spaced members, a gear wheel provided on said reel, a ratchet pawl the( pinion-gear from contact with the gearY wheel whenrsaid rotatable handle member is rotated in another direction, and said bodily movement of the pinion-gear simultaneously disconnectingthe ratchet-pav'vl from the gear Wheel to permit free rotation of the reel.

CII

3. In a jack Afor tightening lines and the like,`

the combination of avhousing, a reel having line engaging members and being rotatably mounted by the housing, a gear wheel xed to the reel and having location Within the housing, a pinion-gear y Within the housing in alignment with a slotted opening formedv .in a Wall of the housing, said pinion-gear being movable into and out of engagement with said'gear Wheel, a rotatable member disposed in said slotted opening land to which the pinion-gear is xed, a ratchet pawl pivoted to the housing and. adapted t'o engage the gear 8 wheel for locking the reel in selected positions, said ratchet .pawl being located adjacent the pinion-gear and on the side thereof opposite the gear wheel, a second pawl also pvoted to the housing and adapted to engage the pinion-gear, whereby. rotation of the. rotatable member in a certain direction Will cause bodily movement of the pinion-gear dueto pivoting lof the same on the second pawl to move the pinion-gear out of contact with the gear Wheel, and whereby said bodily movement of the pinion-gear will eiect similar movement of the ratchet paWl to disconnect the pawl from the gear Wheel.

KENLY C. BUGG.

REFERENCES CITED 'Ifhe vfollowing references are of recordv in the file lof this patent:-

UNITED STATES ATENTS Number Name Date 36,330 v Babcock l f Sept. 2, 18x62 49,217 Best Aug. 8, 1865 156,826 Sweet Nov. 10, 1874 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Y 36,907 France Sept. 6, 1930 (Addition Yto No; 608,455) 

